Michael Hoey produced an encouraging finish to his Hassan Trophy challenge as a closing five-under-par 67 left him sharing 35th place as the leaders started the final round in Agadir.

2012 winner Hoey carded seven birdies which included three successive gains from the 15th.

Hoey is currently only 120th in the Race to Dubai but his finish in Morocco should give him a confidence boost.

Kevin Phelan remained in contention early in the final round.

Phelan parred his opening three holes to stay on six under which left him a shot off the lead on the bunched leaderboard.

There were eight players leading on seven under including German Marcel Schneider who had played his opening 14 holes in five under.

Overnight leaders Richie Ramsey, Andrew McArthur and Romain Wattel were among those on seven under with Soren Kjeldsen, Wade Ormsby, Emiliano Grillo and Jose Maria Olazabal also having moved into a share of the lead.

Former European Ryder Cup captain Olazabal was the clubhouse leader on seven under having fired a closing 66.